雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Now, many people assume the bicycle was invented in the 19th century, but actually, early prototypes appeared in the late 18th century. The first two-wheeled vehicle, called a 'celerifere', was invented in France in 1790, but it had no pedals or steering. Then, in 1817, a German baron added a steering mechanism, creating the 'draisine'. However, it wasn't until the 1860s that pedals were attached to the front wheel in France, leading to the 'velocipede'. This design was uncomfortable and hard to ride, so later improvements, such as the chain drive and pneumatic tires, made bicycles safer and more practical.